Domenico Selvo

Doge Domenico Selvo (1033-11) was the Doge of Venice from 1071 until his death. He was the first member of the House of Selvo to be a Doge.

Biography
Selvo belonged to a family in the patrician class from the sestiere of Dorsoduro who were aof ancient Roman origin, from one of the tribunes. He had also been an ambassador to Holy Roman Emperor Henry III and he was ducal counselor to Domenico Contarini prior to his election as Doge. Being connected to the relatively popular Doge might have been one of the causes for his own apparent initial popularity. In 1071 he was elected as the Doge of Venice by the Council of 64 and was the first of the House of Selvo to hold the title. He was a perfect politician and skilled bureaucrat with fine skills in combat as well. During his reign he led Venice into a crusade against the city of Antioch, capturing it in 1092. He also opened trade with the Hungarians, Milanese, Sicilians, Germans, Papal States, and Byzantine Empire.